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Blasphemy or saviour?

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:09 am
by 3DOKid
http://www.retrothing.com/2009/04/fpga- ... dware.html

FPGA is a field programmable gate array. (My firm uses 'em too)

So, it's a hardware emulator for the ST/Amiga, and I suspect this isn't a million miles from the 3Do hardware that the Freedo crowd alluded too.

Personally, I think, unlike software emulation (which is given for free) that this is too close to hardware piracy, when the original is so easily available (almost what's the point - really?) and therefore I feel bad about this sort of thing and can't really support it. (All my arguments are weak, but I just feel queasy about hardware piracy)

What do you guys think?

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:08 am
by 3DO Experience
Sounds a bit like re-inventing the wheel if you ask me. But you could also see it like a flash cart for arcade machines IF it hooked up to a JAMMA set-up but it doesn't.

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:27 pm
by Traegorn
As long as the patent has expired on what they're emulating in the country they sell it in, then I say no harm no foul. Like the current batch of imitation Famicoms you can get ahold of.

The 3DOs patents are far from expiring though, and since 3DOs are relatively cheap to buy... I don't see the need for a similar product.

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:02 pm
by UnholyTancred
But those NES clones are of pitiful quality.

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:31 pm
by 3DOKid
Yeah - I don't get it either.

For me it's about the whole experience. Emulators don't give you the whole experience. There is no point in me emulating a NES. I just won't enjoy it. I'd have to have a NES and a proper NES controller and a RF cable connected, preferably, to a grotty old colour TV - then I would enjoy it.

Same for the 3DO.

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:32 am
by Trev
For me it's about the whole experience. Emulators don't give you the whole experience. There is no point in me emulating a NES. I just won't enjoy it. I'd have to have a NES and a proper NES controller and a RF cable connected, preferably, to a grotty old colour TV - then I would enjoy it.
And blowing on the cartridge connectors too? :wink:

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:56 am
by 3DOKid
Trev wrote:
For me it's about the whole experience. Emulators don't give you the whole experience. There is no point in me emulating a NES. I just won't enjoy it. I'd have to have a NES and a proper NES controller and a RF cable connected, preferably, to a grotty old colour TV - then I would enjoy it.
And blowing on the cartridge connectors too? :wink:
Yeah. That too. Otherwise you can't relate right? :wink: